Lighting fixtures using circular, tubular fluorescent lamps

ABSTRACT

A lighting fixture utilizing one or more circular fluorescent lamps and connectable to conventional screw-in or bayonet type sockets comprises a pair of upper and lower housing members which cooperate to provide a supporting enclosure for ballast and starter components required for the lamps. The housings are shaped and provided with openings so as to assure constant cooling of these components by circulating ambient air. An intermediate annular member fixed to the housing members supports an additional circular lamp and also serves as a reflector. The fixture is adaptable for installation in an upright position to a ceiling socket or alternatively in the reverse position to a floor or table lamp structure.

United States Patent 1191 Mills June26, 1973 LIGHTING FIXTURES USING-CIRCULAR, Primary Examiner-Richard L. Moses TUBULAR FLUORESCENT LAMPS Att n y-R0ger \V- Erickson [75] Inventor: Arnold Mills, Novato, Calif. 73 Assignee; Alvin Corkland, Mill Valley, Calif. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 7 1971 1 A llghtmg fixture ut1l1z1ng one or more circular fluorescent lamps and connectable to convent1onal screw-1n [21] Appl. No.: 205,580 or bayonet type sockets comprises a pair of upper and lower housing members which cooperate to provide a supporting enclosure for ballast and starter compo- 240/5 nents required for the lamps. The housings are shaped [58] Field of Search ..240/s1.11 R, 51.12, i f ff l 240/47 coo mg 0 t ese components y CIICU atmg am rent am. I An mtermediate annular member fixed to the housmg 1 members supports an additional circular lamp and also [56] References Citedservesas a reflector. The fixture is adaptable for instal- UNIT-ED STATES'PATENTS p lation in an upright position to a ceiling socket or alter,- 2,878,372 3/1959 Fry.. ..a.' 240/51.l2 natively in the reverse positionto a flooror table lamp 3,112,s91 12/1963 Cutler.....'. 240/5112 stmcturev 2,943,238 6/1960 Reaves 240/5112 X 19 Claims, Drawing Figures a4 T. j a4 60 56 40 2e /4 I 18 us p 9a m t 26 me as as I00 445 11450 545 1 46 42 I I 44a g 4a 1 1 48 m4 2- 52 a f 5v 92 '72 LIGHTING FIXTURES USING CIRCULAR, TUBULAR FLUORESCENT LAMPS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to lighting fixtures that utilize circular fluorescent lamps and more particularly to such fixtures that can be installed in conventional light sockets and thereby readily replace less efficient incandescent bulbs.

Although circular fluorescent lamps of various sizes have been well developed for many years their use heretofore was limited despite the fact that they provided superior operating and lighting efficiency and effectiveness when compared to incandescent lamps using equal power. One reason for the limited use of circular lamps was that most previous fixtures for such lamps required complicated wiring connections, and installation and replacement of the lamps was therefore an expensive and time consuming process. Prior attempts to provide fixtures using circular, tubular lamps that could be installed in conventional sockets were generally unsuccessful because of several problems that were encountered. For one thing, such fixtures encountered serious heating problems with the ballast or transformer components that are essential for operating fluorescent circular lamps. Many ballast components provided with automatic thermal switches would cycle frequently to provide erratic service due to the excessive heat. Generally, such over-heating occurred because the ballasts were not supported in the manner that provided adequate air circulation for cooling or heat dissipation. Another problem with prior fixtures arose in providing a housing for ballasts and starters that was strong, durable, fulfilled all safety requirements and was also reasonably inexpensive to manufacture. Yet another problem was in providing a fixture with an adequate housing for ballasts and starters which also was capable of supporting circular lamps of different diameters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture using circular tubular lamps that solves all of the aforesaid problems and makes it possible to use such lamps in existing incandescent sockets, and thereby provide better lighting with greatly reduced power requirements.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lighting fixture that will support and house one or more ballast and starter devices for circular fluorescent lamps in such a manner that they will remain well within their operating temperature limits even over long periods of sustained use.

Another object is to provide a fixture comprised of a combination of basic housing components with interchangeable parts in combination therewith which can support different combinations of circular lamps of the same or different sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture using circular fluorescent lamps that is connectable with conventional screw-in or bayonet sockets, thereby eliminating the need for any wire connecting or splicing during the installation of the fixture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture that can be installed by its connector on its upper side as to a ceiling socket or which can be ori- 2 ente'd in the reverse position with its connector downwardly as when used in a table or floor lamp.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture that is comprised of relatively few parts well adapted for mass production so that they can be manufactured and assembled at relatively low cost. Another object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture that is strong, durable and will operate with safety and reliability so that it can be used in a wide variety of installations without restrictions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture that is highly versatile and can supply different levels of lighting by utilizing various combinations of circular lamps of the same and different diameters.

The aforesaid objects are accomplished by a fixture structure comprising a pair of upper and lower housing members that are both generally cup-shaped and provided with a plurality of spaced apart openings. The upper housing has only side openings for horizontal air currents while the lower housing has openings that are transverse to the vertical. These housing members are secured together by adjacent flange portions to form an enclosure which is shaped so that one or more ballast units and the necessary connecting wires for the fluorescent lamps can be mounted and secured therein in such a manner that air will freely circulate through the openings and constantly remove any excess heat that is generated during operation of the fixture. One circular lamp for the fixture is supported by the flange portion of one housing member. An intermediate annular fixture member fixed to the housing members provides another flange portion for supporting a second circular lamp. The latter annular member may be sized in alternate versions to support circular lamps of different diameters. Fixed to the top side of the upper housing member is a conventional connector that is adapted to fit a mating socket so that the'fixture can be readily installed without requiring the attachment orsplicing of any wiring. All of the fixture components are uniquely shaped so that theyv can be manufactured at low cost and high volume from suitable plastic materials and assembled rapidly with relatively unskilled labor.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of a light fixture embodying the principles of the present invention as it appears in a typical ceiling installation;

FlG. 2 is a view in elevation and in section taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1, with some of the elements being rotated slightly into the plane of the section for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation and in section similar to FlG. 2 showing a modified version of my light fixture using two circular lamps of the same size; I

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary view in elevation and in section showing another modified form of my light-fixture using two lamps;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the fixture shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. Sis a top plan view of the fixture shown in FIG. 3 and taken along the-line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. '6 is a view in elevation and in section showing FIG. 7 is a view in side elevation showing a light fixture according to the present invention used in a floor or table lamp;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary and exploded view showing another form of connector useable with out lighting fixture; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view section taken along line 99 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lighting fixture 10, embodying the principles of this invention, is shown as it appears when normally installed in a conventional screw-in socket l2 fixed to a ceiling or some other building structure. In general, the fixture is comprised of an upper housing member 14 which is connected to a lower housing or cap member 16 to form an enclosure 18. Attached to and supported by the lower housing member by a plurality of hanger clips 20 is a first circular fluorescent lamp 22. In this embodiment, a second circular lamp 24 is attached by similar clips 20 to an intermediate annular support member 26 which is fixed to the housing members 14 and 16.

Centrally located at the top most portion of the upper housing member 14 is an upwardly protruding portion 28 to which is mounted a standard screw type electrical lighting connector 30. This connector has a base portion 32 that fits adjacent to an annular transverse surface of the portion 28 and is secured thereto by small bolts and nuts 34. An upper barrel portion 36 of the connector 30 has conventional threads and, to facilitate good electrical contact within a standard lamp socket 12 (shown in phantom in FIG. 2), it preferably utilizes a spring loaded central contact or electrode 38. Also, to assure adequate frictional engagement of the connector and to help align the fixture unto its true vertical position when installed, a ring or washer 40 of heat resistant, semi-resilient material such as neoprene, is used between the socket and the connector base portion 32. When the connector has been screwed into the standard socket 12 the entire fixture will, when properly tightened, remain mechanically secured therein and electrically operative. The spring loaded central contact assures integrity of electrical contact within the socket while exerting spring bias against its threads that are mated with like female threads within the socket. This prevents the connector from becoming unscrewed or working loose, such as might otherwise occur through vibrations of the socket environment over a prolonged period of time.

For certain ceiling installations of my lighting fixture, it may be desirable to provide a light and easily connectable safety chain between the fixture and some suitable ceiling structure. Thus, near the periphery of the intermediate support member 26 a series of holes 42 may be provided through which the safety chain can pass.

Described now the elements of my lighting fixture in greater detail, it is seen that each housing member is formed as a series of integrally connected, substantially cylindrical portions of different diameters that are connected by annular transverse portions. On the upper housing member 14 the uppermost cylindrical portion 44 has the smallest diameter and the integral cylindrical portions 44a, 44b, 44c, etc. below it have progressively larger diameters. The wall thickness of these cylindrical portions as well as the interconnecting annular transverse portions 46 are essentially constant. Circumferentially, spaced apart in one or more of these cylindrical portions are a series of openings 48 which allow ambient air to enter and circulate through the enclosure 18. It will be noted that preferably no openings occur in the transverse portions so that no heat can escape directly upwardly. This provides an increased safety factor for my fixture especially in ceiling installations. The use of the multiple cylindrical structure for the upper housing allows these openings 48 to be formed by standard molding techniques without expensive side-pulls on he dies. At the bottom edge of the lowermost and largest cylindrical portion 44d of the upper housing member is an outwardly extending horizontal flange 50. At opposite sides of the upper housing member 14 and extending vertically downwardly from its uppermost cylindrical portion as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 are a pair of elongated tubular support bosses 52 which terminate at transverse end portions 54 inside of the lower housing. Also extending downwardly from the transverse top portion 56 of the upper housing 14 are two pairs of shorter boss members 58 that are spaced apart as well as also radially inwardly from the larger bosses 52. Extending upwardly from top surface of the upper housing member are another pair of short bosses 60 each surrounding a threaded opening through the top portion 56. As will be seen, the larger internal bosses 52 and the external bosses 60 are utilized to hold in place various ballast units required for fluorescent circular lamps. Each pair of the smaller internal bosses 58 serve to support a socket means 62 for a starter device that is required for fluorescent lamps.

Now, the lower housing member 16 has a lower cylin drical portion 64 with a transverse bottom end 66 above which are a series of larger cylindrical portions 64a, 64b, etc. integrally connected by annular portions 68 that together form a cup-like recess. In at least two of the annular portions 68 are provided a series of circumferentially spaced apart vent openings 70 that serve with the openings 48 of the upper housing member 14 to facilitate the circulation of cooling air. The largest uppermost cylindrical portion 64c of the lower housing member terminates with an annular, outwardly extending flange 72. Centrally located on the inner surface of the transverse bottom end 66 of the lower cylindrical portion is a tubular boss 74 surrounding a threaded hole 76 within which is seated a decorative thumb screw 78 when the hole is not in use.

As seen in FIG. 2, when the fixture 10 is assembled the outer flanges 50 and 72 of the upper and lower housing members respectively are in contact with each other and 'a series of circumferentially spaced apart holes provided in these flanges may be aligned to receive suitable fasteners. The largest lowermost cylindrical portion 44d of the upper housing member fits just outside of an annular boss 80 that is integral with the top flange 72 of the lower housing member. This annular boss helps to align thetwo housing members during assembly but it also serves another function. In the lowermost cylindrical portion of the upper housing member are provided side openings 82 for the wire bundles 84 which extend between the circular lamps and their respective ballast devices within the housing. When the housing members are assembled with their flanges together, the annular boss 80 grips or pinches each wire bundle 84 tightly against the edges of the opening thereby preventing it from being withdrawn. This tamper preventative measure enchances the safety of my fixture. As shown in FIG. 2, the wire bundles 84 (formed as a power conductive cable) terminate at a power connector 86 of the conventional type, which is plugged into the sockets 88 of the circular lamps 22 and 24.

The intermediate annular support member 26, provided to support the second and larger circular lamp 24, has a generally cylindrical portion 90 with a diameter that is greater than the lowermost cylindrical portion of the upper housing member 14. Extending inwardly from its bottom edge is an annular flange 92 that rests directly on the flange 50 of the upper housing member 14. Spaced at circumferential intervals on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 90 are a series of bosses 94 with threaded holes to receive a series of assembly screws 95 that also extend through the housing flanges 50 and 72. Thus, these latter screws secure all of the three main fixture members together. At the top edge of the cylindrical portion 90 is an integral outwardly extending flange 96. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, this latter flange 96 on a modified annular support member 26a terminates at a diameter substantially equal to that of the flange 72 on the lower housing member and it therefore serves to support a second lamp 22a of the same size as the first or lower lamp 22. However, in the version of the fixture shown in FIG. 2 the larger second lamp 24 is supported on a flange 98 that is integrally attached to a conical extension 100 of the flange 96. This conical extension projects outwardly and upwardly from the lower housing member and provides a reflecting surface for the larger lamp 24.

The circular lamps 22, 24 and 24a are all supported by and connected to their respective flanges by a plurality of the hanger clips 20, each of which has a curved hook portion at one end that extends partially around the lamp (e.g. 90 100 of arc) and an integral jaw or clip portion 102 at its other end that fits snugly over the edge of the supporting flange. Normally, three hanger supports for each circular lamp are sufficient to hold it firmly in on the fixture. In order to maintain the clip portion of each hanger in its proper radial position on the fixture, pairs of small, parallel bosses 104 are provided at circumferentially spaced apart locations near the edges of the flanges 50 and 72. These bosses prevent the clip portion of the hangers from rotating on the flange and also provide a guide which simplifies and speeds their installation. The hanger clips are preferably molded from a suitable plastic material having high strength and resilient flexibility so that they can be bent to receive their lamp in a spring biased condition. Due to this flexibility the lamps can be easily removed and replaced as desired. As shown in FIG. 3A, in another version ofmy lighting fixture 10, the flange 72 may support both the lower lamp 22 and also another lamp 22a of the same size by merely extending the hangersupports upwardly. This eliminates the need for the annular support member 26.

The upper and lower housing members and the intermediate annular support member are all shaped so that they may be readily made from a suitable plastic material using conventional molding techniques. The use of the multiple, stepped, cylindrical portions in both housing members 14 and 16 enable them to be formed with their respective openings 48 and 70 without the need for any side pulls in the dies, thereby greatly reducing overall production costs. Various types of strong, durable plastics with a low fire rating can be used, the selection of which is well within the scope of those skilled in the plastic molding art.

As stated previously, the housing members form the enclosure 18 that will accommodate and hold in place the various ballast or transformer devices necessary to operate the circular lamps of the fixture and moreover, they retain these devices in such a manner that ambient air will circulate through the housing walls and around the devices to maintain them at their proper operating temperature.

Two standard sizes of circular fluorescent lamps which are commercially available are those rated at 32 watts and the smaller size rated 22 watts. The fixture 10 of the present invention can utilize these larger and smaller lamps designated by the numerals 24 and 22, in four different combinations to provide a wide range of power and illumination. Thus, the fixture 10 may use only one small lamp, or only one large lamp, or two small lamps or one large and one small lamp. The ballast or transformer for the larger lamp is obviously larger than the one for the smaller lamp. If the single large lamp 24 is used, it is supported on the flange 98 of the intermediate annular member 26, as previously described. A single small lamp 22 can be supported on either the flange 72 of the lower housing member 16 or the flange 96 of the smaller modified annular member 26a. If two small lamps 22 and 22a are used they are supported on both of these latter flanges (FIG. 3 or 3A) and if one large and one small lamp are used, they are installed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The ballast or transformer devices for the two different lamps are naturally also quite different in size. However, the enclosure provided by the upper and lower housing members can accommodate these ballast devices for all of the aforesaid lamp combinations- As shown in FIG. 2, the ballast 106 for the larger lamp 24 has generally an oblong shape with a base plate 108 forming tab portions that extend beyond its opposite ends. The latter have notches or holes which align with the openings in the lower ends of the long support bosses 52 extending down from the top of the upper housing member. Screws I10 extending through the tab portions and the end portions 54 of the latter bosses 52 hold this larger ballast firmly against them.

When the lower housing 16 is attached to the upper housing 14 the heads of these screws are surrounded by short cylindrical bosses 112 on the inside of the lower housing member. Thus, any shocks imported to the fixture 10 will be absorbed, not only by the ballast supports 52 but also the structure of the lower housing member.

The ballast 114 for the smaller lamps 22 is of course also smaller in size but has generally the same shape and a base plate 116 with extended end tabs. In the arrangement of FIGS. 1 and 2 this smaller ballast is attached by screws 1 18 which extend through its tab portions and into the bosses 60 on the top of the upper housing member. It is seen in this arrangement that air space is provided around all sides of and between the two ballast devices 106 and 1 14 so that adequate cooling is assured.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 or 3A having two smaller lamps 22 and 22a a somewhat different ballast arrangement is provided. Here, a separate mounting plate 120 is secured to the elongated mounting bosses 52 by the screws 110. This mounting plate is wide enough to accommodate two smaller sized ballasts 114 in a side by side position while still allowing space between them. The mounting plate 120 is provided with appropriately spaced bosses 122 with holes to receive screws 124 for securing the ballasts 114 to the plate.

In fluorescent lighting systems a starter device for each ballast is required and in the fixture 10 such starters designated by the numeral 126 are supported in the sockets 62 secured within the upper housing member 14. As shown in FIG. 3, each socket is attached to the top inside surface of the upper housing by a series of screws 128 that are threaded through the socket and into the bosses 58. When seated within its socket, each starter extends upwardly through an opening 130 in the top of the upper housing 14 by an amount that will facilitate its easy rem oval and replacement. This arrangement helps to minimize unnecessary height to the fix-v ture. When the upper housing member is formed, the

starter openings 130 are only perforated to form a knockout disk 132 and not fully cut out (see FIG. 9). Thus, if only one lamp is to be used on the fixture, only one disk 132 is removed. Later on, if the fixture is to be used with a second lamp, the second knock-out disk can be removed to form an opening for the second starter.

The assembly of my fixture for either of the one-lamp versions or for either of the two-lamp versions can be done rapidly with relativelyunskilled labor. The appropriate ballast devices are first attached to the elongated bosses or internal supports 52 of the upper housing member 14 by means of the screws 110 or to the bosses 60 by the screws 118. The starter sockets 126 are attached to the top of the upper housing member by the screws 128 and the starters may be inserted. With the starters in place the internal wires 134 and 136 interconnecting the starters ballasts and the socket assembly are connected in the conventional manner within the upper housing member 14. Note, that all of the starters, ballast and wiring components are now supported and retained by the upper housing 14. Now, the lower housing member 16 is connected to the upper housing member and the intermediate annular member 26 may be placed in position so that all, three components are connected by the assembly screws 96. At this time the wire bundles 84 for the lamps are extended outwardly through the side openings of the upper housing for access to the lamps. The lamp or lamps can now be attached by means of the hanger-clip members 20 to their respective flanges and the connector 86 on the wires from the ballasts inside the housing can be inserted into the socket 88 on each lamp.

As previously described, the installation of my assembled fixture 10 is simply a matter of screwing the connector 30 into a mating socket 12. For sockets that may be recessed in the ceiling, a modified upper housing member having an elongated connector mounting portion 138 may be used, as shown in FIG. 6. This allows the connector 30 to extend into a recessed ceiling socket.

As shown in FIG. 7, our fixture 10 may also be adaptable for use in a table or floor lamp wherein a conventional socket 12a may be mounted so as to be open upwardly. Here, the fixture 10 is turned upside down so that its connector 30 can fit downwardly within the socket 12. With this arrangement the decorative plug 78 in the lower housing member may be removed and the threaded hold 76 can receive a screw type retaining member for holding in place the frame 142 of a lamp shade 144.

Although the most common form of connector and socket is the screw type, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, other forms of connectors may be used with the fixture 10. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, a bayonet type of connector 300 can be attached to the housing member in the same manner. It has a smooth cylindrical portion 146 with stud members 148 that extend diametrically from opposite sides thereof. The socket for this connector is generally a sleeve 150 with receiving slots 152 on opposite sides for retaining the stud members. When the stud members are in place with the connector 30a in the sleeve socket, electrical contacts within the socket (not shown) come into spring biased engagement with contact areas 154 on the end of the connection. Electrical wire leads (not shown) pass the electrical energy to the elements of the light fixture in the conventional manner.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that the present invention provides a unique and highly versatile light fixture for circular fluorescent lamps that can provide a wide range of illumination intensity for a variety of lighting installations. Moreover, the fixture 10 is comprised of relatively few parts that are well adapted for large scale production at low unit cost and which can be assembled rapidly. In addition, our fixture fulfills all safety requirements with respect to strength, fire resistance and access to electrical components, and its self-cooling feature allows to be operated for indefinite periods without over-heating.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I claim:

1. A lighting fixture comprising:

a pair of upper and lower housing members connected together to form an enclosure with each having spaced apart openings to permit the circulation of ambient air within said enclosure, said openings in said upper housing member extending generally parallel to a vertical axis of said fixture and said openings in said lower housing extending generally in a plane transverse to the vertical axis of said fixture;

a connector means fixed to said upper housing member and adapted to provide an electrical connection with a mating socket means;

ballast and starter means electrically connected to said connector means and secured within said housing members so that air through said openings is free to circulate around them;

and at least one circular fluorescent lamp supported by one of said housing members and electrically connected to said ballast and starter means.

2. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1 wherein said upper housing member is comprised of a series of cylindrical portions that are integrally connected by transverse annular portions in a stepped manner with said cylindrical portions increasing in diameter from the top down, said openings in said upper housing member being spaced apart in said cylindrical portions.

3. The lighting fixture as described in claim 2 wherein said lower housing member is comprised of a series of cylindrical portions integrally connected by annular transverse portions, said openings in said lower housing member being spaced apart in its said annular transverse portions.

4. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1 including a first flange means at the bottom open end of said upper housing member and a second flange means at the top open end of said lower housing member and means for holding said first and second flange means and thus said housing members together.

5. The lighting fixture as described in claim 4 including a plurality of hanger clip means for supporting a circular fluorescent lamp and for gripping the edge of said second flange means at circumferentially spaced apart intervals.

6. The lighting fixture as described in claim 5 wherein each said hanger clip means are made from a resilient plastic material and have a jaw portion at one end for gripping a housing flange and an integral hook portion for retaining a circular lamp.

7. The lighting fixture as described in claim 4 including a first and second series of hanger clip means connected to said second flange means of said lower housing member, said first series supporting a circular lamp below said second flange and said second series supporting a circular lamp above said second flange means.

8. The lighting fixture as described in claim 4 including an intermediate annular member for supporting another circular fluorescent lamp and fixed to said housing members.

9. The lighting fixture as described in claim 8 wherein said intermediate annular member includes a cylindrical portion housing an inner flange on its bottom edge connected to said first and second flanges of said hous ing members, and an outer flange on its top edge, and a series of hanger clip means for connecting a circular lamp to said outer flange.

10. The lighting fixture as described in claim 9 wherein said intermediate annular member includes a cylindrical band portion having an inner flange on one edge for connecting it to said housing members, and a generally conical portion extending outwardly from the other edge of said cylindrical band portion, and hanger clip means for supporting a circular lamp having a diameter greater than the circular lamp supported by said second flange means on said lower housing.

11. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1 including elongated boss means spaced 180 apart within said upper housing member and extending downwardly from the upper end thereof, said ballast means being secured to the lower ends of said boss means.

12. The lighting fixture as described in claim 9 including starter socket means and shorter boss means for supporting said starter socket means below the top of said upper housing, and an opening in said upper housing aligned above said starter socket means so that a starter will extend above the upper housing means and be accessible from outside thereof.

13. The lighting fixture as described in claim 8 wherein said upper and lower housing members and said intermediate annular member are all formed from a plastic material having a fire rating.

14. A lighting fixture utilizing at least one circular fluorescent lamp and adapted for installation in a screw-in socket comprising:

an upper housing member of rigid plastic material formed with a series of side openings which extend generally parallel to a central vertical axis of the fixture;

ballast and starter means for at least one circular fluorescent lamp;

means within said upper housing member for retaining said ballast and starter means therein;

a screw-in connector means fixed to the outside of said upper housing member and connected therein to said ballast and starter means;

a lower housing member having a series of openings;

flange means for connecting said upper and lower housing members together;

at least one circular lamp;

and hanger clip means connected to said flange means for supporting a first said lamp;

and an intermediate annular member fixed to said flange means for supporting a second circular lamp.

15. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 wherein said means for retaining said ballast means comprised a pair of elongated boss members extending within said upper housing member generally parallel to its central axis and spaced apart.

16. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 wherein said means for retaining said starter means includes at least one pair of boss members extending within said upper housing member and a starter socket means secured to said boss member pair.

17. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 wherein both of said upper and lower housing members are comprised of integral cylindrical portions of different diameters including an annular flange means surrounding the largest said cylindrical portion of each housing member, and means for securing said flange means together.

18. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 including means in said lower housing member for retaining a lamp frame when said connector means is secured within a lamp socket.

19. A lighting fixture utilizing at least one circular fluorescent lamp and adapted for installation in a screw-in socket comprising:

an upper housing member of rigid plastic material formed with a series of cylindrical portions integrally connected by annular transverse portions and increasing in diameter from the top down, said cylindrical portions having side openings which extend generally parallel to a central vertical axis of the fixture;

ballast and starter means for at least one circular fluorescent lamp;

means within said upper housing member for retaining said ballast and starter means therein;

a screw-in connector means fixed to the outside of said upper housing member and connected therein to said ballast and starter means;

a lower housing member having a series of openings;

flange means for connecting said upper and lower housing members together;

at least one circular lamp;

and hanger clip means connected to said flange means for supporting a first said lamp. 

1. A lighting fixture comprising: a pair of upper and lower housing members connected together to form an enclosure with each having spaced apart openings to permit the circulation of ambient air within said enclosure, said openings in said upper housing member extending generally parallel to a vertical axis of said fixture and said openings in said lower housing extending generally in a plane transverse to the vertical axis of said fixture; a connector means fixed to said upper housing member and adapted to provide an electrical connection with a mating socket means; ballast and starter means electrically connected to said connector means and secured within said housing members so that air through said openings is free to circulate around them; and at least one circular fluorescent lamp supported by one of said housing members and electrically connected to said ballast and starter means.
 2. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1 wherein said upper housing member is comprised of a series of cylindrical portions that are integrally connected by transverse annular portions in a stepped manner with said cylindrical portions increasing in diameter from the top down, said openings in said upper housing member being spaced apart in said cylindrical portions.
 3. The lighting fixture as described in claim 2 wherein said lower housing member is comprised of a series of cylindrical portions integrally connected by annular transverse portions, said openings in said lower housing member being spaced apart in its said annular transverse portions.
 4. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1 including a first flange means at the bottom open end of said upper housing member and a second flange means at the top open end of said lower housing member and means for holding said first and second flange means and thus said housing members together.
 5. The lighting fixture as described in claim 4 including a plurality of hanger clip means for supporting a circular fluorescent lamp and for gripping the edge of said second flange means at circumferentially spaced apart intervals.
 6. The lighting fixture as described in claim 5 wherein each said hanger clip means are made from a resilient plastic material and have a jaw portion at one end for gripping a housing flange and an integral hook portion for retaining a circular lamp.
 7. The lighting fixture as described in claim 4 including a first and second series of hanger clip means connected to said second flange means of said lower housing member, said first series supporting a circular lamp below said second flange and said second series supporting a circular lamp above said second flange means.
 8. The lighting fixture as described in claim 4 including an intermediate annular member for supporting another circular fluorescent lamp and fixed to said housing members.
 9. The lighting fixture as described in claim 8 wherein said intermediate annular member includes a cylindrical portion housing an inner flange on its bottom edge connected to said first and second flanges of said housing members, and an outer flange on its top edge, and a series of hanger clip means for connecting a circular lamp to said outer flange.
 10. The lighting fixture as described in claim 9 wherein said intermediate annular member includes a cylindrical band portion having an inner flange on one edge for connecting it to said housing members, and a generally conical portion extending outwardly from the other edge of said cylindrical band portion, and hanger clip means for supporting a circular lamp having a diameter greater than the circular lamp supported by said second flange means on said lower housing.
 11. The lighting fixture as described in claim 1 including elongated boss means spaced 180* apart within said upper housing member and extending downwardly from the upper end thereof, said ballast means being secured to the lower ends of said boss means.
 12. The lighting fixture as described in claim 9 including starter socket means and shorter boss means for supporting said starter socket means below the top of said upper housing, and an opening in said upper housing aligned above said starter socket means so that a starter will extend above the upper housing means and be accessible from outside thereof.
 13. The lighting fixture as described in claim 8 wherein said upper and lower housing members and said intermediate annular member are all formed from a plastic material having a ''''O'''' fire rating.
 14. A lighting fixture utilizing at least one circular fluorescent lamp and adapted for installation in a screw-in socket comprisiNg: an upper housing member of rigid plastic material formed with a series of side openings which extend generally parallel to a central vertical axis of the fixture; ballast and starter means for at least one circular fluorescent lamp; means within said upper housing member for retaining said ballast and starter means therein; a screw-in connector means fixed to the outside of said upper housing member and connected therein to said ballast and starter means; a lower housing member having a series of openings; flange means for connecting said upper and lower housing members together; at least one circular lamp; and hanger clip means connected to said flange means for supporting a first said lamp; and an intermediate annular member fixed to said flange means for supporting a second circular lamp.
 15. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 wherein said means for retaining said ballast means comprised a pair of elongated boss members extending within said upper housing member generally parallel to its central axis and spaced 180* apart.
 16. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 wherein said means for retaining said starter means includes at least one pair of boss members extending within said upper housing member and a starter socket means secured to said boss member pair.
 17. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 wherein both of said upper and lower housing members are comprised of integral cylindrical portions of different diameters including an annular flange means surrounding the largest said cylindrical portion of each housing member, and means for securing said flange means together.
 18. The lighting fixture as described in claim 14 including means in said lower housing member for retaining a lamp frame when said connector means is secured within a lamp socket.
 19. A lighting fixture utilizing at least one circular fluorescent lamp and adapted for installation in a screw-in socket comprising: an upper housing member of rigid plastic material formed with a series of cylindrical portions integrally connected by annular transverse portions and increasing in diameter from the top down, said cylindrical portions having side openings which extend generally parallel to a central vertical axis of the fixture; ballast and starter means for at least one circular fluorescent lamp; means within said upper housing member for retaining said ballast and starter means therein; a screw-in connector means fixed to the outside of said upper housing member and connected therein to said ballast and starter means; a lower housing member having a series of openings; flange means for connecting said upper and lower housing members together; at least one circular lamp; and hanger clip means connected to said flange means for supporting a first said lamp. 